USMNT strikers Sargent, Agyemang reveal 2026 World Cup ambitions

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Sep 2025 15:53 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Championship strikers Josh Sargent and Patrick Agyemang have outlined their ambitions of getting into the United States' 2026 World Cup squad.

Sargent, 25, missed out on the 2025 Gold Cup squad, while Agyemang, 24, was absent from the USMNT's recent friendly clashes with Japan and South Korea due to injury.

Norwich City striker Sargent has started the new season in brilliant form, scoring six times in eight appearances across all competitions. Results have, however, been disappointing for the Canaries, who sit 17th in the Championship.

He was voted August's Championship Player of the Month for his exploits in front of the net, and he is now looking to spearhead Norwich's resurgence as they seek to climb the standings under new head coach Liam Manning.

The 29-time US international feels that not being part of the Gold Cup squad will actually benefit him in the long run, as it allowed him to get a full pre-season under his belt for the first time in a while.

Sargent in a 'good spot' for World Cup

"It was a bit unfortunate not to be able to go to the Gold Cup with the national team," Sargent told Sky Sports. "But, at the same time, it put me in a very good spot to be fresh at the start of the season. It was the first time in a while I've had a full pre-season with the team.

"The last couple of seasons I played very well but struggled with injuries that kept me from putting up the numbers I wanted to. I feel like I'm in a good place at the moment. It would be very important for me and the club to have a full, healthy season and to help as much as I can."

He said of his World Cup ambitions and the competition in the USMNT squad: "There's always good, healthy competition, and we all want to be there in such a big World Cup year back home. If I do what I'm supposed to, keep scoring goals and playing well, it'll put me in a good position to go to the World Cup.

"It's what any kid would dream of, playing a World Cup in their home country. But it's very important for me to focus day by day and stay in the present. If I take care of what I'm supposed to here, it'll put me in a good spot to hopefully get on that roster."

Agyemang 'aiming' for World Cup inclusion

Derby County forward Patrick Agyemang, who scored twice at the Gold Cup but only returned from injury earlier this month, has similarly revealed that he dreams of participating in next year's World Cup on home soil.

"The 2010 World Cup was my first experience of really falling in love with the game," Agyemang recalled. "Seeing my family reacting to how well Ghana was doing was amazing.

"The celebrations from goals and wins, the watch parties, all of it. As a kid, it was incredible and something you dream of being part of one day. It's something I'm aiming for. But I want to focus on what I can control first, step by step, like getting back on the field.

"In the bigger picture, the World Cup is what you strive for as a kid. For it to potentially happen is amazing. I just want to keep putting myself in the best position possible without putting too much pressure on myself.

"I'm at my best when I'm enjoying the game, having fun, and not stressing about what I have to do. I just go about every day the right way."

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